Car rental at Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Driver's age: 26-65
Fri 4/26
Fri 5/3

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Cheap car rentals at Columbia Metropolitan airport

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Compact
Intermediate
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Top tips for renting a car at Columbia Metropolitan airport

  • A car rental at Colombia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is one of the most convenient ways of traveling from the airport to various destinations around the city. Colombia, the capital city of South Carolina, is rich in both history and culture, making it one of the most visited cities in the South. With its beautiful parks, plenty of great outdoor adventures, and world-class museums, there is no shortage of things to do and see in this historic city. And there is no better way of getting the best of the "Soda City," as Colombia is fondly referred to, than with a car rental at Colombia Metropolitan Airport. Nature lovers can drive over to the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden for a refreshing afternoon before cooling off at the EdVenture Children’s Museum for a memorable evening with the little ones.
  • Travelers coming to Colombia for business or leisure can rent a car from Colombia Metropolitan Airport. This is one of South Carolina’s major airports and it serves the cities of Colombia, Lexington, Greenville, and Clemson. The car rental desks are located on the lower level near the baggage claim area. You can find the car rental area next to the terminal building. At Colombia Metropolitan Airport, there are car rentals for pretty much every travel need. Large SUVs are available for families and group travelers. Couples looking for more intimate rides can rent premium sedans and cruise the city at their own pace and pleasure.
  • When you are driving in Colombia for the first time, it is crucial that you plan your route ahead of your trip so you can have a clear idea of where you are going before hitting the road. Planning your route will also help you avoid problematic highways like I-20, I-26, I-85, I-95, and US-17. These highways are ranked among the most dangerous in the country based on the fatalities per mile. Also, depending on the time of year when you will be visiting Colombia, you might want to be aware of the hurricane evacuation routes. After all, the last thing you want to get into while renting a car in Colombia is getting stuck driving in a storm or getting caught up in evacuation traffic.
  • Like with any other city, there are traffic rules to observe when driving your rented car from the airport to the city and beyond. First, the driver as well as all the passengers in the car regardless of age must wear their seat belts. If you have any children under six in the car, be sure to have them in car seats. Always move over to the far lane or slow down when emergency vehicles are approaching. Finally, all overtaking must be to the left.
  • Book your rental car at Columbia Metropolitan airport at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price

FAQs about renting a car at Columbia Metropolitan airport

  • Do I need insurance for my car rental at Colombia Metropolitan Airport?

    Like with any other state, you will need to hold valid insurance before you can rent and drive a car. Find out if your existing insurance will cover your rental. If it will not, consider purchasing additional insurance through your provider. While most card issuers like Visa and MasterCard provide some coverage, there are usually limitations. For instance, they may not cover luxury cars. Be sure to double-check your credit card company’s policy when booking.

  • How old do I need to be to rent a car in Colombia?

    The minimum car rental age is 21. However, some car rental agencies impose a surcharge on renters who are under 25. Find out if the agency you plan on renting a car from has a surcharge policy.

  • Can I add additional drivers to my car rental contract?

    Most car rental agencies allow additional drivers on a contract. However, each driver will be required to present a valid driver’s license when you are picking up the car. The car rental company may want to run a background check for each driver provided in the contract, and this may shoot up the ultimate cost of renting a car. Do take note of this. Find out the car rental agency’s policy on additional drivers when booking your car.

  • What is the best rental car company at Columbia Metropolitan airport?

    Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental company at Columbia Metropolitan airport is Alamo (8.9, 50 reviews).

  • Which car rental companies will pick you up at Columbia Metropolitan airport?

    Car rental companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Columbia Metropolitan airport to off-airport locations include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Columbia Metropolitan Airport car rental reviews and directory

Alamo

8.9

Very good

107 reviews
Best rated

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

9.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.1

Value for money

8.8

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3000 Aviation Way

+1 844 806 3358

Monday08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday08:00 - 23:59
Thursday08:00 - 23:59
Friday08:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2024

KAYAK
Fantastic! They made both transactions so simple.

10.0 Wonderful

Nov 2023

KAYAK
Very easy

7.6 Good

Nov 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was effective, friendly, helpful and attentive to our needs. Car was great!

Cons:

Interior and exterior could have been cleaner.

9.6 Wonderful

Aug 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Smooth pick up and drop off

Cons:

Automatic back hitch didn’t work so convenience was loss, but overall good car.

8.0 Very good

Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was friendly and very helpful.

Cons:

Selection of cars could have been better, but I ended up with a good car that performed well, no problems.

10.0 Wonderful

Jun 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Slow process to pick up car but after that, everything went smoothly.

Cons:

Processing pickup

1 out of 22

Dollar

7.2

Cleanliness

7.5

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

6.9

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3018 Aviation Way

+1 803 822 2300

Monday08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday08:00 - 23:59
Thursday08:00 - 23:59
Friday08:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2024

KAYAK
Great! Very professional

10.0 Wonderful

Oct 2023

KAYAK
Excellent customer service at the counter. There were lots of scratches and a few dents on the vehicle that were not annotated.

8.0 Very good

Oct 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The cleanliness of the car and the make and model!

2.0 Poor

Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Absolutely nothing about this experience was good.

Cons:

When reserving a specific class of vehicle, try having that type of vehicle available. Completely ruined a trip that I planned a month in advance. I needed a pick up truck, reserved a pick up truck. After calling 10-15 times, to verify the availability, I was able to get someone on the phone. Unfortunately they were not at all helpful, but they did mention that a truck would be due back in on Tuesday.

2.0 Poor

Jun 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

We made the reservation online through kayak. Decided to drive well out of our way to pick up from dollar bc the price was much less. Once we arrived, they racked on $95 bc it was a one way trip! This should have been calculated when making our reservation for what was clearly a one way reservation. Explained this to Dollar rep and they could care less. We were so upset... wasted lots of time and money. Will never rent from dollar or use kayak again.

10.0 Wonderful

May 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Friendly staff, clean car, easy access - no wait.

1 out of 13

Hertz

5.8

Cleanliness

6.5

Comfort

6.1

Pick-up/Drop-off

5.8

Value for money

5.3

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3000 Aviation Way

+1 803 851 4270

Monday07:30 - 23:59
Tuesday07:30 - 23:59
Wednesday07:30 - 23:59
Thursday07:30 - 23:59
Friday07:30 - 23:59
Saturday07:30 - 23:59
Sunday07:30 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Nov 2021

KAYAK
Price could have been better.

2.0 Poor

Nov 2021

KAYAK
Customer service was terrible. I’m still getting calls saying the vehicle wasn’t returned, when it was returned almost 2 weeks ago.

6.0 Okay

Oct 2021

KAYAK
Everyone is strapped for cars these days. Luckily Hertz had a car for me (had a reservation via Kayak). Others coming to the counter late at night were not so lucky. The lot was thin. I reserved a sedan, e.g. Chevy Malibu but received a GMC Acadia. Way too much car, but can't be to picky these days. No agent in the return lot, had to take keys to counter, but it was quick.

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Ease of driving away in a car

Cons:

Nothing other than lower cost. Great experience

2.0 Poor

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

I

2.0 Poor

Jul 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

I usually select the managers special which was $560 where they choose the car. They had options available but elected to give me a compact for the $560 for 9 days. Really? A compact for 9 days at $560? I cancelled my reservation at that point I usually get good options of a mid size or better, and most of the time a full size truck, hence why I go with the manager special. I explained to them I was carrying 4 people around for a week and they didn't seem to care. I had doubled booked with Enterprise to cover myself. Glad I did. At Enterprise I got a luxury SUV for the same price. I guess Hertz didn't need my $600?

1 out of 12

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

8.9

Very good

27 reviews

Cleanliness

9.4

Comfort

9.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

8.3

Value for money

8.5

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3000 Aviation Way

+1 833 969 2399

Monday08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday08:00 - 23:59
Thursday08:00 - 23:59
Friday08:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Jan 2024

KAYAK
The agent who helped me at the Columbia,SC was friendly and helpful!

8.8 Very good

Aug 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

Disappointed that the location was closed. Just a drop off to a key suppository. Ho hum.

Cons:

Open location during daytime.

8.0 Very good

Dec 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

On line reservation easy, price was OK. The overall staff were very friendly and helpful. The car was clean and what I had reserved.

Cons:

I had to drive to the airport to pick up the car instead of a oneway rental as I have done in the past. This time they were charging a $75 drop off fee which was something new. Rental went from forty something dollars to over one hundred and twenty plus!!!

9.6 Wonderful

Dec 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

The process was simple and they even accommodated a last minute change in drop off location.

Cons:

The price using Kayak was several hundred dollars less which was great, but it bothers me that some people would have paid the Enterprise going rate. Why such a difference?

8.0 Very good

Nov 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Everyone was polite, and especially the attendant in the garage. Very positive experience.

Cons:

They didn't have the car ready I had reserved, but the substitute was fine.

10.0 Wonderful

Oct 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

the dropoff was extremely easy, the lady was right there in the parking garage, I was done in literally one minute. She was very courteous and friendly. Excellent customer service.

1 out of 7

Avis

6.8

Cleanliness

6.8

Comfort

7.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.6

Value for money

6.5

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3010 Aviation Way

+1 803 822 5100

Monday07:00 - 23:00
Tuesday07:00 - 23:00
Wednesday07:00 - 23:00
Thursday07:00 - 23:00
Friday07:00 - 23:00
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

May 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Nice car. Attentive staff.

10.0 Wonderful

Apr 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

it was excellent, the prior page would not allow me to select the rateings

Cons:

nothing

8.4 Very good

Apr 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

The person at the counter was friendly and courteous

Cons:

I do not like dropping my car off in the parking garage without an attendant to inspect it. I am always concerned of being blamed if any damage occurred in the gargae I will be Joel responsible for it

9.6 Wonderful

May 2016

KAYAK

Pros:

The easy access at the airport.

Cons:

It was very difficult finding how to open the gas cover door release. The AVIS rep didn't say anything. I had to Google how to so I could fill up the car. The release mechanism on the Nissan Versa is located under the dash near your knees so you don't see it. As opposed to being on the floor next to the trunk release or like the new models where you just push on the gas cover door and it opens.

2.0 Poor

Feb 2023

KAYAK
They were closed when I arrived I was not able get a car from them

2.0 Poor

Aug 2022

KAYAK
They wouldn’t let me use my debit card so I couldn’t get a car and paid 50.00 for a cab there

1 out of 4

Budget

4.0

Mediocre

10 reviews

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

4.0

Value for money

8.0

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Show locations

Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3010 Aviation Way

+1 803 822 8346

Monday07:00 - 23:00
Tuesday07:00 - 23:00
Wednesday07:00 - 23:00
Thursday07:00 - 23:00
Friday07:00 - 23:00
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

5.2 Fair

Nov 2018

KAYAK

Cons:

Return instructions non-existent: Found garage but inside no kiosk or personnel or clear instruction how to proceed. Ended up having to go to counter in terminal. Then they tried to charge me too much.

2.0 Poor

Oct 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Absolutely nothing.

Cons:

I was apparently an hour late and it cost me twice as much as I was quoted. I learned that budget has independent centers. It was horrendous. I will never choose Budget again. Don’t do it people, they are not kind nor helpful. There are lots of other options.

10.0 Wonderful

Apr 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Quick check out Very clean car Good handling car Quick check in

Cons:

Nothing

8.4 Very good

Sep 2017

KAYAK

Cons:

Expense

8.0 Very good

Sep 2016

KAYAK

Pros:

i think the car needed some transmission work.

8.0 Very good

Apr 2016

KAYAK

Cons:

The first car I was assigned had a low air in the tire light on and I had to go back to the desk to change cars. And two days into the rental, the same thing happened to the car that I was driving. I filled the tire at the gas station, but that should be taken care of before renting the car

1 out of 2

Thrifty

2.0

Cleanliness

-

Comfort

-

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

-

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Show locations

Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3018 Aviation Way

+1 803 822 2300

Monday08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday08:00 - 23:59
Thursday08:00 - 23:59
Friday08:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

6.0 Okay

Mar 2018

KAYAK

Cons:

Wasn't informed of the extra fees for roadside have never rented from a car rental company that doesn't include roadside for their vehicles, and also had to pay for a better upgrade class all because the class I reserved wasn't available!

10.0 Wonderful

Mar 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

It was cheap and service was good.

Cons:

I had to go to the rental counter to return the car keys when dropping off.

8.0 Very good

Mar 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

Exactly as expected. The price quoted on the website was exactly what I paid. The car worked fine, was clean and the drop off was hassle free.

Cons:

I didn't know that there would not be an attendant to check me out when I returned the car to the parking space. Luckily, an attendant from a competitor told me there was nobody to check the car and that I should take a picture of the mileage and gas meter so I could show it to the counter attendant at the rental desk who would do the final paperwork.

2.0 Poor

Feb 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

The only positive I can say about Thrifty is that the lady working the counter really did try her best to find me a car.

Cons:

We rented a minivan for a church trip online through Kayak a few days before our departure. When we arrived to the rental company (passengers and all luggage in tow), the Thrifty employee informed me that the car we'd rented was not available, nor were any other minivans. She said that since you don't pay when you reserve, the reservation is not binding. All she had to offer me was a 15-passenger van, which is not covered by our church insurance policy. I was unfortunately unable to rent from Thrifty and had to find a van from another rental company at the very last second, or we would have been unable to go on our trip. I would not recommend this company to anyone.

2.0 Poor

Jan 2018

KAYAK

Pros:

It is hard to list anything they performed well.

Cons:

Their staff is extremely rude. They didn't have the car we reserved. They said it wasn't available and offered us an upgrade for additional cost. We declined their offer. Suddenly, the attendant, whom happens to be the manager, found the car we reserved and indicated it wasn't cleaned because the cleaning staff have left for the day. She informed us that she will get someone to clean the car and to meet them in the lot. We waited for 10 minutes in the cold weather and nobody met us there. We came back in and the manager made us wait another 10-12 minutes while she took care of one customer. Finally, when it was our turn, she wondered why we came back. The car was handed to us extremely filthy. The manager was rude about the whole situation the entire time and never apologized. Never rent from Thrifty or Dollar period at the CAE location.

6.0 Okay

Dec 2017

KAYAK

Pros:

Truck was nice when I got it

Cons:

Not getting vehicle I reserved and waiting 2 hours to get something I didn’t want.

1 out of 4

National

8.7

Very good

1 review

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3260 Airport Blvd Ste 8

+1 844 806 3357

Monday08:00 - 23:59
Tuesday08:00 - 23:59
Wednesday08:00 - 23:59
Thursday08:00 - 23:59
Friday08:00 - 23:59
Saturday08:00 - 23:59
Sunday08:00 - 23:59
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Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Dec 2016

KAYAK

Pros:

Van was clean and ran smoothly – made transporting all of our equipment super easy. Getting the van was great - right outside of the airport and hassle free.

1 out of 1

Easirent

4.6

Mediocre

No reviews available

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Sunnycars

No score available yet

2 locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3000 Aviation Way

Opening times not available

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3260 Airport Boulevard Ste 8

Opening times not available

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VIPCars Recommendation

No score available yet

One location in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

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Locations in Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3000 Aviation Way, 3000 Aviation Way, West Columbia, , USA South Carolina

+1 914 368 0091

Monday00:00 - 23:59
Tuesday00:00 - 23:59
Wednesday00:00 - 23:59
Thursday00:00 - 23:59
Friday00:00 - 23:59
Saturday00:00 - 23:59
Sunday00:00 - 23:59
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282 travelers who rented a car in Columbia Metropolitan Airport gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.8

Car rental locations at Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Good to know

Most popular car type

Mini